LB Brandon Spikes is in his third season with the Patriots. / Greg M. Cooper, US Presswire

by Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports

by Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Spikes might want to employ the same Twitter policy Chad Ochocinco/Johnson largely adhered to while a member of the New England Patriots, i.e. stay away from it.

Spikes has caused a mini furor after tweeting Wednesday: "I'm homophobic just like I'm arachnophobic. I have nothing against homosexuals or spiders but I'd still scream if I found one in my bathtub!"

A scan of his account reveals angry and disappointed feedback.

Why he did it remains a mystery as he's essentially left his teammates answering questions about it in the locker room, though they and the club are essentially sidestepping it altogether, per the Patriot Way.

The Boston Globe's Michael Vega speculates Spikes was rehashing some version of what British comedian Jack Whitehall said last year: "I'm not homophobic. Well, I suppose I'm homophobic in the same sense I'm arachnopobic. I'm not scared of spiders. I'm not scared of gays, but I would scream if I saw one in my bath."

Either way, Spikes has gotten an earful/eyeful from his followers, compelling him to subsequently tweet, "PEOPLE !!!! It's a joke â?¦ seriously a JOKE !!! Chill out."

Whether the linebacker gets another earful from his employers and is dispatched to face reporters as it seemed Wes Welker was earlier this week after making a joke at Bill Belichick's expense remains to be seen.